Cat's Claw Monograph

A cat’s claw monograph for the home

This cat’s claw monograph provides basic information about cat’s claw—common names, usefulness and safety, and resources for more information.

Cat’s claw is a woody vine that grows wild in the Amazon rainforest and other tropical areas of Central and South America. Its thorns resemble a cat’s claws.
The two most common species are U. tomentosa and U. guianensis. Most commercial preparations of cat’s claw contain U. tomentosa.
Using cat’s claw for health dates back to the Inca civilization. Its historical uses have included for contraception, inflammation, cancer, and viral infections, and to stimulate the immune system.
Today, cat’s claw is used as a dietary supplement for a variety of health conditions including viral infections (such as herpes and HIV), Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, arthritis, diverticulitis, peptic ulcers, colitis, gastritis, hemorrhoids, parasites, and leaky bowel syndrome.
The bark and root of cat’s claw are used to make liquid extracts, capsules, tablets, and tea.

There have been very few high quality clinical trials (studies done in people) of cat’s claw.

There’s no conclusive scientific evidence based on studies in people that supports using cat’s claw for any health purpose.

Few side effects have been reported for cat’s claw when taken in small amounts.
Women who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant should avoid using cat’s claw because of its past use for preventing and aborting pregnancy.

Cat’s claw. Natural Medicines Web site. Accessed at naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com/ on March 24, 2015. [Database subscription].
Erowele GI, Kalejaiye AO.Pharmacology and therapeutic uses of cat’s claw.American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy. 2009;66(11):992-995.